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kaylo88's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
simply_jxde's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kellyvandamme's review
4.0
Like so many of you, I absolutely devoured Good Samaritans. Or, perhaps more accurately, it devoured me, gobbled me up, spat me out, and left me feeling a bit like an addict gone told turkey. Then, last week, I just had to get my Will Carver fix, I had to, it couldn’t be helped. Lucky for me, Will Carver published an entire series before making his grand comeback with Good Samaritans. These series feature DI January David and Girl 4 is the first novel. Reminiscent of GS, this is a dark story about dysfunctional, somewhat sad characters (no one does dysfunctional characters like Will Carver, I’m sure), though the madness is somewhat more contained (and not a bottle of bleach in sight!). Jan David is a great protagonist, and so is Eames, our resident serial killer. But this wouldn’t be a Will Carver novel if everything was just as it seemed...
This was so addictive I wanted to dive into the second novel in the series right after I’d finished this one.
This was so addictive I wanted to dive into the second novel in the series right after I’d finished this one.
xvicesx's review
4.0
I give this one 4 stars, though somewhat begrudgingly because I didn't quite like the supernatural involvement when I hadn't been looking for it in this particular read. The last 100 pages gave me a couple WTF moments as things were coming together and starting to make sense. I quite liked the characters, though they didn't really come across as very rotund with the exception of January. Audrey is a little bit of a control freak but while that takes up a good deal of her life, I wouldn't necessarily class its development as her own development. The sidekicks played the role they had to, but not much more.
Overall, a bit meh. It was a 3 star book for the better part of it, but the twist at the end made it more of a 3.75. Not sure I'll look into the rest of the series, though.
Overall, a bit meh. It was a 3 star book for the better part of it, but the twist at the end made it more of a 3.75. Not sure I'll look into the rest of the series, though.
chava_in_oz's review
2.0
Initially it took me a while to figure out the different chapters with the different perspectives. What put me off in this book was how Det. David's "visions" lead him to catch the murderer. I'm not intending to read the second installment of this series. Not very memorable, I already started on a new book and usually I need a good day to get a book out of my system.
nina_bloodsworn's review
5.0
Wow very intense, felt very real - gripping and frightning at the same time. I really love thrillers/suspense, but this was something else. I don't get scared easily by a book but I was scared allright. Can't wait to read the second book.
crystal6's review
3.0
Unusual crime thriller with short chapters. Liked the main character January David (Detective). Some parts dragged with me and perhaps a bit far fetched.
barbi312's review
4.0
Clever and inventive. Not your typical murder mystery. Quite an enjoyable read. Recommended!
tien's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
staceyinthesticks's review
4.0
I received this book as a secret Santa at Christmas under the theme of "debut novel" - I'd never heard of this author before but I was really intrigued by the synopsis as I do love a thriller.
The way it was written was different to anything I've read previously - from 3 POV. Detective January David, the killer, and the victims. It does begin with "Girl 4" in the present day, and this is someone January recognises. We're then taken back to when the gruesome murders started, and Girl 1. The way the author has written, each victim "sort of" tells what is going to happen before we find out.
The chapters alternate between January, the current victim, and the killer. Although it's written from the POV of the killer in alternating chapters, we don't actually know who it is and this did have me guessing. I'm glad that each chapter was headed with who's it was though or it could have become confusing if the author had flitted between them in the same chapter!
I couldn't bring myself to connect with January too much - him and his partners were frustrating at times, when I figured out things before they did that were obvious. There was a lot of mind games being played with him and it was only toward the end I warmed to him a little.
I don't want to give too much away (more than I have already!) but do check it out if you're looking for a different sort of thriller. There was a bit of a cliffhanger so I do want to read the next in the series!
The way it was written was different to anything I've read previously - from 3 POV. Detective January David, the killer, and the victims. It does begin with "Girl 4" in the present day, and this is someone January recognises. We're then taken back to when the gruesome murders started, and Girl 1. The way the author has written, each victim "sort of" tells what is going to happen before we find out.
The chapters alternate between January, the current victim, and the killer. Although it's written from the POV of the killer in alternating chapters, we don't actually know who it is and this did have me guessing. I'm glad that each chapter was headed with who's it was though or it could have become confusing if the author had flitted between them in the same chapter!
I couldn't bring myself to connect with January too much - him and his partners were frustrating at times, when I figured out things before they did that were obvious. There was a lot of mind games being played with him and it was only toward the end I warmed to him a little.
I don't want to give too much away (more than I have already!) but do check it out if you're looking for a different sort of thriller. There was a bit of a cliffhanger so I do want to read the next in the series!